Red Sox Get Leadoff Batter

Hobson Hopes Hatcher Will Be Answer

Bolton Goes To Reds

BOSTON — It certainly wasn't the deal to end all deals and general manager Lou Gorman promises more moves.

But the Red Sox (39-43) did acquire more speed and offense Thursday when they got outfielder Billy Hatcher from the Cincinnati Reds for left-handed pitcher Tom Bolton.

Hatcher, 31, arrived about 90 minutes before the game with the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park, which was good because manager Butch Hobson had him leading off and playing left field. Hatcher singled in his first at-bat, his only hit in four at-bats, and was thrown out trying to steal second in a 10-3 loss.

"I hear he's one of those players who likes to eat dirt," Hobson said. "He has good speed and is a good right-handed bat. I think it's a good trade for both clubs."

Hobson said he sees Hatcher as the leadoff batter the team has lacked this season. Hatcher, who is earning $1.6 million this season with a team option for $2 million (with a $400,000 buyout) next season, was hitting .287, with two homers and 10 RBI in 43 games for the Reds. He was at the bottom of the Cincinnati depth chart, serving primarily as the sixth outfielder.

The Reds and Red Sox had talked about a deal a few weeks ago, but Cincinnati wanted prospects the Red Sox did not want to deal.

"It sat dormant for a while and then they called me back [Wednesday] morning," Gorman said.

This is Hatcher's fifth team. He was a sixth-round draft choice by the Chicago Cubs in 1981. Chicago called him up in September 1984. He was traded with a player to be named (left-handed pitcher Steve Engel) to the Houston Astros Dec. 16, 1985, for outfielder Jerry Mumphrey. He went to the Pittsburgh Pirates Aug. 18, 1989, for outfielder Glenn Wilson. The Pirates traded him to the Reds April 3, 1990, for infielder Jeff Richardson and right-handed pitcher Mike Roesler.

"He's going to be a sparkplug," said outfielder Herm Winningham, who played with Hatcher on the 1990 world champion Reds. "He's a smart player who'll add a lot to this team."

Bolton, 30, was 1-2, with a 3.41 ERA in 29 innings and 21

appearances -- 20 in relief. In six seasons, Bolton was 21-23. His best season was 1990, when he was 10-5, 3.38.

"The good things are that I'm headed south to play, but north in the standings," said Bolton, a Tennessee native. "I have some mixed feelings. Overall, I think it's a good opportunity for me. The Red Sox said it was something that had to be done, although they didn't want it to be me."

Cincinnati (50-32) leads the National League West.

The Red Sox did offer left-handed pitcher Matt Young (0-2, 5.20), but Cincinnati wanted no part of him.

Hobson said he will go with Tony Fossas (1-1, 4.05) as his only left-handed reliever until after the All-Star break